Public Safety Director's Spotlight - National Night Out 2015

 

National Night Out 2015

More than 16,100 communities from all 50 states, U.S. Territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide will celebrate National Night Out (NNO) on Tuesday, Aug. 4, and based on registrations we have received, most neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis will be joining in the festivities.  National Night Out is a chance to promote neighborhood camaraderie and helps build police-community partnerships.  Whether your block or neighborhood will be holding a BBQ or a pot-luck or a concert or other fun activities, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all your hard work in your neighborhood and for being part of this important annual event.  For more information about NNO, please contact our Neighborhood Stabilization Team at (314) 657-1392.

Upcoming Events

Friday –July 31

St. Louis Art Museum Outdoor Film Services, Art Hill in Forest Park, 6 p.m.

The fun begins at 6 p.m.  The classic movie "Sound of Music" will begin promptly at 9 p.m.  To learn more, visit http://www.slam.org/filmseries/ .

Every Friday, May –September –Lunchtime Live, Old Post Office Plaza, 801 Locust, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Invite your co-workers to join you at this fun way to spend your lunch hour.  For more information, visit the downtownstl.org web site.

Every Friday –STLive on Washington Avenue, participating venues on Washington Avenue in Downtown St. Louis, 5 p.m.

Great venues. Great food. Great music. Every Friday night all year 'round at various Washington Avenue restaurants.  There is something for everyone to enjoy.  For more information, visit the STLiveMusic page on Facebook.

Saturday –August 1

24^th Annual St. Louis Tap Festival, Sun Theatre, 3625 Grandel Square, 7 to 10 p.m.

Master teachers and performers of the great American art of tap dance will honor the late Professor Robert L. Reed with a show that will feature tap dance styles from polished jazz to hard-edged hip-hop.  For ticket information, visit hppt://stlouistapfestival.brownpapertickets.com/

Little Urban Smiles Back to School Event, Children's Dental Theatre, 1301 North Kingshighway Boulevard, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Enjoy games, face painting, prizes, music, food and more at this inaugural event.  Dental exams will be available to all children.  Need more information?Call (314) 367-1435.

The Grove Criterium, Manchester & Newstead, Noon

The challenging, six turn course will be spread over 1.2 miles in The Grove, with the Start & Finish Line at Manchester Avenue and S. Newstead Avenue.  Other activities will include expo areas, beer garden, food and more.  For a map of the course and additional information, visit http://thegrovecrit.com/.

Aug. 1 & 2 –SerbFest 2015, Holy Trinity Serbian Eastern Orthodox Church, 1910 Serbian Drive, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Enjoy authentic Serbian food and desserts, Serbian cultural booths, church tours, and Serbian Entertainment this Saturday and Sunday.  Questions?  Call (314) 776-3263.

Free Concert, Lafayette Park, SE Corner, 6 to 8 p.m.

Joe Pastor and the St. Louis Legacy Ensemble are scheduled to perform. For more information, visit the lafayettesquare.org web site.

Sunday –August 2

Orchestrating Diversity Summer Concert: Celebrating Sibelius, Demetrious Johnson Charitable Foundation, 724 Union Boulevard, 1 to 3 p.m.

Come celebrate the 150^th anniversary of Sibelius' works as the Orchestrating Diversity Urban Youth Orchestra performs the famous Symphony No. 2, The Swan of Tuonela, and Two Pieces for Cello and Orchestra Op. 77.  Call (707) 245-4365 for more details.

The Wedding Show, America's Center, 701 Convention Plaza, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

St. Louis Bridge and Groom will present The Wedding Show this Sunday at America's Center.  Meet more than 20 Etsy shop owners and do-it-yourself product demos at the MarketPlace.  Visit stlbrideandgroom.com for all the details.

Budweiser Burger Battle, Kaufmann Park, 13^th and Chestnut, Noon to 4 p.m.

Don't miss this Burger Battle that will pit 10 St. Louis chefs against each other in the ultimate burger cook-off.  For ticket information, visit budweiserburgerbattle.eventbrite.com.

Orchid Auction, Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd., Noon to 5 p.m.

Shop hundreds of orchids at great prices.  To learn more, visit the osogsl.org website.

Every Sunday through August 2 -- Sunday Serenades, Francis Park, Eichelberger and Donovan, 7:30 p.m.

Enjoy the incomparable Tenor Hugh K. Smith on Aug. 2 for a fantastic finale of the concert series.  To learn more, visit the chband.org web site.

Free Concert, Carondelet Park, 5:30 p.m.

The scheduled performance is "Memories of Elvis."  For details about the concerts at Carondelet Park and others that will be held in South St. Louis Square Park, Fanetti Park and Bellerive Park throughout the summer, visit www.carondeletliving.com.

Next Week

11^th Annual Downtown Restaurant Week will kick off on Monday, Aug. 3 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 9.F  or more information, visit the downtownrestaurantweek.net/ website.

Every Monday through August 3 –Musical Mondays, Tower Grove Park, Magnolia & S. Grand, 7:30 p.m.

Enjoy the incomparable Tenor Hugh K. Smith on Aug. 3 for a fantastic finale of the concert series.  To learn more, visit the chband.org web site.

Tuesday –August 4

Skinker-DeBaliviere Concert Series, Lucier Park, Hamilton and Westminster, 6 to 9 p.m.

Bring your friends and the whole family to enjoy the free National Night Out BBQ Concert with Non-Stop Reggae.  For more information, visit the skinkerdebaliviere.wordpress.com web site.

Wednesday –August 5

Every Wednesday –Wednesday Lunch Free Concert Series, Citygarden, 10^th & Market, 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Stop by and catch the performance by DJ Nune on Wednesday, Aug. 5.  Visit the citygardenstl.org web site for more details.

Election Day –Polls in the City of St. Louis will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Save the Date

Aug. 7 –William L. Clay Scholarship & Research Fund 30^th Anniversary Celebration, Polish Heritage Center, 1413 North 20^th Street, 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 8 –Grub & Groove, Francis Park, Eichelberger & Donovan, 4 to 10 p.m.

Aug. 8 –Not Your Granny's BINGO 2015, IBEW Electrician's Union Hall, 5850 Elizabeth Avenue, 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 8 –Zo! + Carmen Rodgers "Studio Campfire Stories:Live", Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 North Grand Boulevard, 7 to 9 p.m.

Aug. 8 –World Cat Day Open House, Animal House Cat Rescue and Adoption Center, 2151 59^th Street, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Aug. 8 & 9 –Laclede's LAN 15, Il Monastero Banquet Center of Saint Louis University, 3050 Olive, 8:30 a.m.

Aug. 9 –Mass for Peace and Justice, Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, 4431 Lindell, 10 a.m.

Aug. 9 –Diva Dash 5K, The Muny in Forest Park, 8 a.m.

Aug. 9 –Free Concert, Benton Park, Arsenal and South Jefferson, 3 to 6 p.m.

Promoting Your Neighborhood Activities

Is there a neighborhood event on the schedule that you would like noted in the Spotlight?If so, you may email the information about it to me at GrayR@stlouis-mo.gov or to Cathy Smentkowski at smentkowskic@stlouis-mo.gov for consideration.You may also post it on the City's Calendar of Events on the City's web site:  http://stlouis-mo.gov.  The link to submit an event is at the very bottom of the home page.  The listing is free.  I encourage you to take advantage of this free way to promote your event.

Volunteer Opportunity

Sign up now to volunteer for Festival of Nations 2015!  Nearly 600 volunteers are needed to make the Festival of Nations a success each year.  Large companies, area businesses, ethnic organizations and local residents give their time and effort to help sell drinks, greet visitors, conduct market research, assist with trash control and recycling, manage artist stages, and much more.  To reserve your choice position and shift, or sign up a group, log on to http://www.festivalofnationsstl.org/volunteer.html .

Col. Richard Gray

Director of Public Safety

City of St. Louis